Marques, who grew up in Portugal, set out to build a hotel from the point of view of the guest; with local interior designer Osvaldo Tenório, he did just that. While KENOA is firmly rooted in the area, the interior design reflects a global vision. With artifacts from Africa to South America, the resort is a "labyrinth of treasures." KENOA is at one with its natural surroundings. The most striking illustration of Marques’ vision is the ecological fantasy created by seemingly endless trees that pierce through the hotel. Reforested eucalyptus trunks blend into the stark exterior, making it appear as if the hotel rises from the green.

“Our aim is to make KENOA sustainable, without compromising on service, comfort or luxury,” he says. “I am a firm believer in the idea that one can offer top-notch facilities and still be green.” Thus, recycled materials, reclaimed wood and highly efficient LED lights are found throughout the hotel. To save energy, staff uniforms are never steamed, and there is, of course, a resort-wide ban on plastics. “I have been involved in every step, decision and detail [of designing and building the resort], which makes it a very personal journey. KENOA is not solely a reflection of me, but also of my family and loved ones, and of the people who worked with me over the past years. Today the hotel is a sum of all these influences. You could say that while everything goes via me, not everything is me.”